Distinguished leaders honoured with alumni awards

From devising radical systems that improve rice farming to conducting dramatic underwater cave rescue missions, the impact made by Flinders University graduates in communities across the world is recognised by the list of 2018 Alumni Award recipients.

Convocation Medal recipient Flinders University Professor Karen Reynolds from the College of Science and Engineering.

The 10 award recipients will be presented with their awards in a special ceremony at Flinders University today.

Leading this year’s awards are two recipients of Convocation Medals which recognise outstanding community contributions through their leadership, knowledge advancement, professional practice and community service.

Dr Garry Karner, from ExxonMobil Exploration Company in Houston, US, has been awarded the Convocation Medal for leadership and the advancement of fundamental geological research – especially the advancement of professional practice through developing the Quantitative Basin Analysis software and for mentoring young research scientists.

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Professor Karen Reynolds– Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor, Director of the Medical Device Research Institute, and Dean (Research) at the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University – has been awarded the Convocation Medal for outstanding contributions through the Medical Device Partnering Program, as a leader in biomedical engineering, and for championing women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM).

The series of Distinguished Alumni Awards recognise contributions that have benefited Flinders University and the wider community through humanitarian services, professional achievement and significant roles in meritorious activity.

Dr Richard HarrisSC OAM receives a Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding service to the international community through his specialist response role during the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand.

Mr Jose Apollo Pacamalanreceives a Distinguished Alumni Award for his significant contribution to the rice farming industry in the Philippines. He has pioneered Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System, a climate-smart agriculture system which makes rice production safer for farmers, increases productivity and ensures healthier rice grains for consumption.

Flinders graduate Jose Apollo Pacamalan pioneered the Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System, a climate-smart agriculture system which makes rice production more sustainable for smallhold farmers in the Philippines.

Dr Jennifer Bakerreceives a Distinguished Alumni Award for her significant public health contributions, especially through advancing Indigenous health in Australia and internationally, as an advisor, researcher and Board Member.

Ms Tina Karanastasisreceives a Distinguished Alumni Award for her extensive community contributions in helping those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in South Australia.

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Air Vice-Marshal (Dr) Tracy SmartAM receives a Distinguished Alumni Award for her outstanding medical services and leadership within the Australian Defence Force.

Dr Duncan Taylorreceives a Distinguished Alumni Award for his significant contribution to the field of forensic evidence, especially developing DNA interpretation software that has greatly improved evidence interpretation and justice outcomes.

Professor Brett Bowdenreceives a Distinguished Alumni Award for his significant academic international contribution to the fields of history, politics and international relations.

The annual celebration of Alumni Awards serves to underline the diverse impact that Flinders University graduates are making across many endeavours, improving all quarters of society.

The 2019 Alumni Award nominations will open on 1 May and close 31 July, with the aim of presenting these awards in November 2019.

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